The Next Level: The Games of November 2011

November is going to be an unforgiving month for the wallets of the Warp Zoned staff! We’re doing everything from figuring out what the hell “Drake’s Deception” really is, to getting your dragon on in the new Elder Scrolls game. The video game companies are throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us! We have no choice but to clear our schedules, open our wallets, and pray our thumbs don’t give out. Read on to find out just what exactly it is we plan on playing this month, though our intentions might get overridden by the first games we get addicted to.

John Scalzo
Editor-In-Chief
November is all about one game and you know his name… Bond, James Bond… starring in the highly definitioned GoldenEye 007: Reloaded. Even though I sunk more hours into the original than I care to remember, I’m still giddy to give the HD remake a try. I’m also eager to put my brand new PS3 through its paces with Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, but maybe I should play the first two games first. Speaking of playing the first games first, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is on my radar this month as, believe it or not, my experience with the franchise is limited to about 20 minutes back in 2001. It’s a gap in my gaming knowledge that needs filling.

A series I have a bit more experience with will finally receive its first proper Wii release as Nintendo has The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword on the schedule for the 20th. I’m loving the new art style and the fact that this is supposed to be the first tale of Hyrule, chronologically, is very interesting. Another game that looks interesting is, no lie, Jurassic Park. There’s never really been a great Jurassic Park game and I think Telltale could be the ones to do it.

Finally, I don’t have a 3DS yet (I’m holding out for the inevitable two-stick upgrade), but Super Mario 3D Land is seriously weakening my resolve. It just looks so awesome. And Tanooki Suits, man! Must be strong. Must be strong. Must be strong.

Nicole Kline
Senior Editor
While I know there are a ton of games coming out in November, there’s really only one single game that I have any interest in whatsoever, and that’s Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. I remember when Uncharted 2: Among Thieves came out, and it was like Christmas morning every day. I have been trying as hard as possible to keep myself spoiler-free when it comes to anything about changes in gameplay, additions to ridiculous setpieces, and, well, anything related to the plot, though it has been awfully difficult. November 1 (hey, that’s today when you’re reading this!) can’t get here fast enough. If this is going to be anything like it was two years ago when the last game came out, that means that the moment I finish the game, I’m going to re-start it on the next hardest difficulty and play it again straight through for two days. Here’s hoping history will repeat itself in the most glorious way possible.

Ryan Littlefield
Podcast Producer
Man, I hope November turns out to be as much of a whirlwind as I want it to be. Sonic Generations earns its spot on my list even though I wasn’t blown away by the demo. I may not get to it in November, but I do want to give the benefit of the doubt to Sega’s ol’ college try. I’m with Nicole on this one, too – Uncharted 3 looks great, and I can’t wait to fly through that. (Note to self: Christmas is coming!) The Black Eyed Peas Experience looks pretty goo- wait, nevermind. I mean, The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is looking pretty tasty, even though Konami already got my money with the Metal Gear Solid [SD] Collection for PS2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 may happen sometime next year, because I still have to give priority to Battlefield 3. Super Mario 3D Land is going to be pretty awesome, but I may not even start that because of the impending The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword *cue holy choir*

Have fun in Hyrule, kiddies!

John Martin
Staff Writer
Octobeard has come and gone and No-Shave November (or Movember, for mustache enthusiasts) rears its hairy head. As I will be buried in projects and such for the whole month, I don’t think I’ll get that much gaming done. But there are two games I absolutely must and will play: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It’s all about sky-stuff for me, heading into the holidays. I cannot wait to create my perfect Dovahkiin and then fight through a tutorial that will take me about five hours to complete. I may be “funemployed” at the moment, but I wouldn’t mind sitting down and learning how to carve wood or catch fish with my hands for money. There’s going to be such a crazy amount of drool-worthy detail in that game, judging from previews. I will then thank Bethesda for robbing me, once again, of my social life before I pick up my new golden Wii remote to save Hyrule once more.

Chris Urie
Staff Writer
November looks to be quite a good month for me to blow off schoolwork. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is first on my list of games threatening my GPA. I can’t wait to slip back in with the Uncharted gang and get exploring, adventuring, and listening to the silky smooth sounds of Nolan North’s voice as the snarky Drake. Next up on the list will get me all nostalgic for my childhood and excited for the baddies and puzzles to be solved. I had the privilege to play Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword at NY Comic Con and I must say that I can’t wait to jump back into my favorite silent protagonist and save Hyrule. Finally, the all-consuming time vortex of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim will take my GPA and power bomb it into the ground with its hundred hours of gameplay. I can’t wait to mix up some spells and scream the ancient dragon language. I wonder if the dragons know a spell that would prevent me from failing out of college.

Adam Woolcott
West Coast Editor
Skyrim.

Wait, do I need more? Okay. November is said to be legendarily packed with software… and you know what? It kind of is! I already mentioned Skyrim, the successor to a game that I spent at least 500 hours playing. If it can offer me that kind of experience again? I’ll be happy, to say the least. However, there are other games this month that I’m looking forward to. Uncharted 3 is something that I haven’t been, shall we say, super hyped for despite loving the first two games, but it’s not because I think it will suck or something: it’s because Naughty Dog just delivers good games. You don’t worry about their quality…. you know what you’re getting. If Uncharted 3 is half as awesome as Uncharted 2, all is well. In addition, November brings Saints Row: The Third. Saints Row 2 is one of my all-time favorite sandbox games, successfully aping You-Know-Who, but also demonstrating an incredible sense of humor, and a penchant for absolutely ridiculous “activities” to earn extra cash. Like Uncharted 3’s situation, if Saints Row 3 is half of Saints Row 2’s game… it’ll be amazing.

Also hitting (the same week!) is Assassin’s Creed: Revelations. As a huge Assassin’s Creed fan, I’m looking forward to the third game in the “Ezio Trilogy,” though there’s some definite trepidation to this being the third game in three years to star the legendary assassin. I’m sure it will be a fantastic game – I remind myself that I had this same concern when it came to Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, but we definitely need to get the real Assassin’s Creed III. Finally, there’s Need for Speed: The Run. In reality, the game wasn’t much on my radar once it was unveiled, despite being a long-time NFS fan. However, the demo was enough to change my mind. I mean, racing through an avalanche? That’s exciting! While this might be the “odd game out” for me in November, I’ll definitely be playing it down the line. Which is probably for the best… I mean seriously, November is packed!

Continue on to the next page for a complete look at the November release schedule.

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